Georgiana nodded. “Let me introduce you first. This is my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. As you might have gathered, his parents are the Earl and Countess of Matlock.” She turned to the officer.
“Richard, this is Mrs. Gardiner. She’s the aunt of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and brought her round here this morning the moment I wrote and said I needed her.” The man’s face didn’t change, and Georgiana looked frustrated. “William took me to call on them yesterday, and was going to go and call there again this morning.”
Finally, understanding dawned on his face, although his eyes were still narrowed with suspicion. He bowed to them. “I’m sorry I don’t recognise your names, ladies, but I’m sure Georgiana will correspond with you soon.” He turned to his cousin.
“I do need to get you away from here at once, Georgiana.”
The girl lifted her chin. “I will see my guests out, Richard, then I will make my preparations.”
How Elizabeth managed to keep her face straight, she never knew, but soon she and her aunt were on their way back to Gracechurch Street.
“I think Miss Darcy will be a formidable young lady once she has her confidence back,” Aunt Gardiner remarked.
Elizabeth was able to smile. “I agree with you. Her cousin looked quite discomfited when she would not allow his suspicions.”
Her aunt nodded. “However, I think that, from what we’ve deduced might have happened, he had every right to be suspicious.” She frowned slightly. “But I cannot think even Mr. Stephen Darcy would be so foolish as to think he might be able to get out of a murder charge. Young Georgiana might think it for him, but I’m sure he won’t.”
“So she’ll lose two brothers, then.” Elizabeth was sad. “I don’t think she has realised the enormity of her loss just yet.”
Her aunt looked at her acutely. “How would you feel if your admiral suddenly became a gentleman of prodigious wealth?” Elizabeth stared at her.
“I hadn’t thought of it. Is Pemberley really such a great estate?”
“Yes, Lizzy, it is. The mistress of Pemberley moves in very high society.”
It suddenly seemed as if all the light had gone out of the world. Elizabeth shivered. “Then he will not make an offer to me. He will have to see my family at Longbourn, and then he will decide he needs a higher-born wife.” She forced a smile. “I hope it is someone who will befriend Georgiana.”
Her aunt gazed at her sadly. “I’m glad you’ve thought of it, Lizzy. I’m sorry about it; I think you would have been well-matched. But we will have to wait and see.” She smiled at her. “You promised you would help me entertain the children if I invited you to London. Perhaps I ought to insist on you beginning this very afternoon.”
Elizabeth forced a smile. “Of course I will.” She stared out of the coach window. She would not cry in front of her aunt. She would not.
22
Darcy dreamed of her that night, as he tossed in the bed at the inn. Unfamiliar beds had never troubled him; they were always rather more generous than the meanly proportioned cots on board ship, but Elizabeth had troubled his nights since he’d first met her.
And now, Darcy business had dragged him away, just when he thought he might be able to secure her agreement to marry him. He was angry about the whole thing.
He had been all day in the coach, thinking of George, remembering the times they used to play together, the times when three years age difference didn’t seem so very great after all.
George hadn’t been happy since Anna had died, of course, and if he’d been found alone with his gun Darcy wouldn’t have thought anything other than things had become too much for him to bear.
He shuddered. If the servant hadn’t found the bloodied clothes, Stephen might very well have got away with murder.
Stephen as a child had always been cruel, had always been dismissive of other people. And his whole life had been warped by the bitterness of the second son. Darcy smiled cynically. He wasn’t bitter, he’d made his own way; the risks and dangers he’d survived meant he could now live as he wished.
He didn’t want Pemberley; he didn’t want the wealth and responsibilities of such a great estate. He wanted Elizabeth. He wanted to be able to make a home with her — comfortable, but without the demands such an estate would place upon him.
But, if Stephen was convicted, he would hang. He might be his brother, but Darcy was used to the harsh justice of shipboard life — the death penalty followed conviction for murder, and he would not oppose it — and it would make no difference if he did. It might have been different, had Stephen not made all their lives a misery all through their childhoods.
Georgiana. He wondered what she was thinking of at the moment. He’d been sorry to leave her, and he was bitterly regretting that he had not yet made Elizabeth an offer. She would stand beside Georgiana, who was so softhearted that she would be grieving for George, and also sorrowing over what would happen to Stephen.
He sighed. He would have to visit his brother. He’d also have to secure him a lawyer to advise him; justice must be seen to be done. Of course, he might not have committed murder, although there would be some explaining to do.
As he slipped into sleep, he found his thoughts of Elizabeth comforting. His mind conjured her sympathy and her resolute support.
“You are a fool, Stephen! Whatever made you think the servants wouldn’t notice the arguments with George — wouldn’t notice you following him into the woods, and wouldn’t notice the bloodstained clothes hidden in the closet?” Darcy paced to and fro in the tiny cell.
His brother glowered at him. “It was all right for you! Prize money pouring in. It was never a problem for you, not having Pemberley.” He jumped to his feet. “But me! How did Father think I ought to manage on ten thousand pounds?”
“Ten thousand is a bigger fortune than many gentlemen’s sons have available. But you had the best education money could buy. You could have married a woman of fortune — or even, I dare say, attempted to earn a living!” Darcy admitted to himself he was glad his brother was manacled; he seemed quite mad with rage.
“Forget all this preaching to me, Fitz! What are you doing to get me out of here? And you could have got here sooner. I’ve been stuck here for days!”
Darcy shrugged. “I left London within an hour of hearing the news. And I’m not going to get you out of here. I have appointed a good lawyer to advise you. But you will stand trial. Justice must be seen to be done.” He turned away, sickened by what his brother had become. “And I’m telling you that after what I have heard from the constable, and from the servants, I would convict if I was on the jury.” He swung back to face him. “I’m only glad that Father and Mother did not live to see you fall so low!”
“And there you’ve been, pretending not to be bitter, when all along you’ve been plotting to get rid of us and gain Pemberley! You hypocrite! You fraud! You want to get me hanged so you gain Pemberley!”
Darcy could no longer control his expression. “Pray tell me just how I would plot to get you to commit murder in such a stupidly obvious way?” His lip curled. “You were educated far past your native wit, and it is that which has done for you, Stephen.” He turned for the door. “You will have a good lawyer. But, other than that, you are no longer my brother.”
“Yes, and when I am acquitted, don’t think I won’t come after you, too!” Stephen’s high, raging scream followed him along the corridor. “You’ll plead for your life just like George did, the weakling!”
Darcy turned and looked at the constable accompanying him out of the gaol. “Did you hear that clearly?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Please write it up as a report. You may be asked to give evidence as to what you heard.”
“Yes, sir.”
Darcy returned to Pemberley. He had a funeral to attend. Much of the preparation work had already been done, the weather too warm to wait for long.
He watched the warm honey-coloured stone building rise out of its landscape as the c
oach approached. He didn’t want to live here. Too much unhappiness through his childhood, and now too much recent drama.
Elizabeth could help him. With her beside him, they could make it a family home once again, as it should be. He could be happy, if only she was with him.
23
Elizabeth looked up as the servant entered bearing the post for Aunt Gardiner.
It had been nearly two weeks since they had seen Georgiana at Darcy House and she wondered how the girl was faring under the eye of her cousin. But she was far more concerned with the admiral.
Each night she tossed and turned, wondering what he was doing, how he was probably having to hide his grief for one brother, and deal with the issues raised by the other. However necessary, it could not be easy to oversee justice for someone so close.
If his other brother was executed, would the admiral ever be the same? Could he be the same? No, it must change someone forever.
And he would be the master of Pemberley. After what her aunt had said, she doubted whether she’d ever see him again. He certainly wouldn’t court her. And she accepted it could never be right for him to do so. But accepting the fact was difficult for her heart to bear, and sadness filled her.
“Oh, how nice!” Her aunt’s voice sounded surprised, and Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.
“It is a note from Miss Darcy, hoping it will be in order for her to call with her aunt. She says her cousin will be escorting them.”
“Today?” Elizabeth was horrified.
“It appears so,” Aunt Gardiner said placidly. “What concerns you, Elizabeth?”
“But … Lady Matlock! She’s a countess! And Georgiana is in mourning!”
Aunt Gardiner laughed. “I expect she’s very human, despite it all. And if not, then Georgiana will need us not to be too overawed. As for the mourning, well, if the blinds are drawn on the coach, a private call is likely to be permitted.” She picked up her needlework again. “It was kind of Georgiana to write and give us prior warning.” She looked up. “Ring the bell, please, Lizzy. I will order fresh pastries be made.”
“You’re so calm,” Elizabeth commented. “I will endeavour to copy you.”
The older woman smiled. “I’m surprised at you seeming to be so discomposed. Ordinarily, you are not overawed by such trifles.”
Elizabeth concentrated on her needlework, knowing she was blushing.
“Ah!” Her aunt seemed to have surmised the difficulty. “Do you think it is because Georgiana has said something, and you think the lady is coming to inspect you?”
Elizabeth nodded, still looking down.
“Well, in that case, my dear, you must be very sure to be exactly the person that you are. It will not do to act a part.”
“I know.” Elizabeth’s voice was very soft.
But she didn’t get much opportunity to take the advice.
The countess seemed to be a calm, gracious lady, Georgiana looked quite content when she flew to Elizabeth’s side, and the colonel appeared to have quite got over his suspicions of her.
The whole party took their seats and waited for the maids to serve the tea.
Aunt Gardiner turned to the countess. “I’m delighted to meet you, my lady. I think Miss Darcy is grateful to have the chance to meet my niece again.”
But it was only a few minutes later that the butler knocked on the door again. “Admiral Darcy, madam,” he announced.
Elizabeth stood with the other ladies to curtsy, biting her lip. She hoped her demeanour wouldn’t arouse any suspicion in Lady Matlock’s mind. Her heart was racing, and she lifted her eyes to his face. He looked weary, and his eyes were hooded and expressionless.
He sat down with the party, and Aunt Gardiner pressed him to a cup of tea.
“Did you go straight to Matlock House, Darcy?” Lady Matlock led the conversation. “And they told you we were here?”
“No.” His eyes were on Elizabeth. “I drove straight here.”
There was a strained silence after that remark, and Elizabeth wondered frantically if he was too tired to have realised what he was saying.
“How did you find the situation at Pemberley?” Georgiana whispered, and he turned and looked at her with an effort.
“It is nearly settled,” he said, heavily. “The funeral was the same afternoon I arrived. It could not wait another day.”
His sister’s eyes filled with tears, and Elizabeth reached for her hand, as the girl whispered another question.
“And Stephen?”
Darcy sighed. “He is — in custody, awaiting trial. I will need to be in Derby for that.” He seemed about to say something, but Lady Matlock intervened.
“I think enough has been said for now, Darcy. You can tell us what we need to know when we return home.”
He bowed his head. “As you wish, Aunt Alice.”
There was silence for a while. The colonel made a game attempt at conversation with Aunt Gardiner, and Elizabeth ventured a few words to Georgiana. But the girl seemed to want to know what had happened to her brother, although as Lady Matlock’s word appeared to be law, she didn’t return to the subject.
Eventually, that august personage rose to her feet. “Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Gardiner. It has been a pleasure to meet you, and Miss Bennet.”
After the proprieties had been observed, and the countess turned to go, she seemed to notice that her nephew hadn’t moved.
“Come along, Darcy! You don’t want to keep Georgiana waiting.”
The admiral was still standing, but he bowed. “Thank you, Aunt; but I have not yet concluded my call. Then I will return to Darcy House.” He turned to his sister.
“Would you like me to come and bring you home after luncheon?”
Georgiana’s chin went up. “Thank you. Or Cousin Richard might take me home to join you for lunch at Darcy House.”
“Whichever pleases you, dear sister.” His smile at her was heartwarming. Elizabeth wished he’d smile like that at her. Then her heart raced. He’d said he hadn’t concluded his call. Perhaps he wished to speak to her.
The countess led her son and niece from the room, clearly discomfited at the admiral’s decision to stay behind.
Aunt Gardiner watched as the Matlock coach drove away. Then she smiled at their remaining guest. “Perhaps you’d benefit from a turn in the gardens, Mr. Darcy, if you have been travelling for several days.”
He smiled slightly. “It would indeed be welcome, with your permission, Mrs. Gardiner.”
He turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, would you be willing to accompany me?”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.” She slipped into the hall to get her coat, and a few moments later her hand heated on his arm as he began to stroll along the path. She glanced up at the window where her aunt was seated, apparently working at her needlepoint, but undoubtedly observing them, and she knew he’d observed her, too.
After a few moment’s silence, she tightened her fingers on his arm. He looked startled.
“I’m sorry, Miss Bennet, it was very remiss of me not to speak.”
“I believe you’re very tired, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps you’d like to sit down for a few moments under the tree.” She smiled at him. “When you have completed your call, I hope you may be able to rest a little before Miss Darcy joins you at Darcy House.”
“You’re very perceptive, Miss Bennet.” He waited for her to take a seat before he, too, sat down at the other edge of the bench.
She knew she needed to assist him, somehow she knew his fatigue was beyond any of her experience.
“Mr. Darcy, I hope I am not speaking out of turn, but I don’t think you ought to prolong this call too long. It seems to me you are very weary.” She smiled, wishing she could reach out to him. But that was forbidden to them. “I know that, when you were at sea, you must often have gone several days without proper rest, when there was a storm, or the enemy was all around you.” She shook her head. “But all this is new to you. The business of the estate is more than you have
ever been prepared for. Not only that, you have lost your eldest brother, someone upon whom you might have relied for assistance. And you also have the behaviour of your second brother, who might have expected that you make everything right for him again.”
He was looking at her. “As I said before, you are a most perceptive lady.” His gaze sharpened. “Do you know why my aunt was here?”
She looked down. “I do not know, but I have surmised that she has heard that you have called here and wished to discover what was going on.”
He frowned and she smiled.
“The day you left for Derbyshire, your sister sent a note which asked us to call on her so she did not have to leave the house — you might recall you had asked her to stay there.” She shook her head. “When Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived to take her to Matlock House, he saw us there, and seemed initially suspicious as to our presence.”
“I see.” He rubbed his face with his hand. “I would not like Georgiana to feel that she might have spoken out of turn.”
She risked a light touch on his arm. “I admire very much the devotion you show to your sister’s comfort. She is fortunate that you have such regard for her.”
He was staring at her hand. “I regret very much the turn events have taken, Miss Bennet. The official mourning for my brother means that I cannot do as I might wish.” He looked frustrated. “I cannot wait six months!”
Elizabeth smiled at him and stood up. “You’re very, very tired. I don’t want you to say anything you might regret, nor I to misunderstand what you might be trying to express. Please, I would ask that you return home to rest. In a day or two, if your sister wishes it, she might ask you to bring her here to call; or she might wish to invite me to Darcy House.”
24
She had been right. Darcy woke suddenly, dazed and sleep-sodden, within a few minutes of falling asleep in the coach back from Cheapside.
Darcy the Admiral Page 10
